K-Water Selected as MS's First Domestic 'Water Restoration Partner'

[Financial News] Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) has been selected as the first domestic water restoration partner of global big tech Microsoft (Microsoft).
K-water announced on the 19th that it has signed a 'Water Positive' agreement with MS and decided to create artificial wetlands upstream of Soyanggang Dam in Chuncheon, Gangwon. This agreement has initiated global cooperation for climate crisis response and the establishment of a sustainable water cycle system.
Water Positive is an activity where more water is returned to or reused in nature than the company uses, emerging as a new standard for ESG management like RE100 in the carbon neutrality field. MS has declared achieving Water Positive at all its global business sites by 2030, and this agreement is the first official partnership linked to the operation of data centers in Seoul and Busan.
The first project plans to create artificial wetlands upstream of Soyanggang Dam in Buk-myeon, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, to reduce pollutants flowing into the river by about 30% and restore 340,000 tons of water annually. This is equivalent to the amount used by 1 million people in a day. MS will bear the cost of creating and maintaining the wetlands, while K-water will be responsible for design and execution.
K-water plans to proactively respond to water use issues arising from the spread of AI infrastructure and expand global water restoration projects through cooperation with the private sector, using this agreement as an opportunity. Previously, it launched the 'Water Positive Cooperation Body' with Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, LG Electronics, POSCO, Naver, and others to carry out joint projects.
President Yoon Seok-dae said, "It is important for global companies with high water usage in the AI era to minimize environmental impact," adding, "This cooperation is the first step in practicing the shared responsibility of water restoration by big tech and public institutions, and will become a new cooperation model for achieving ESG and entering the top three AI nations."

en1302@fnnews.com Jang In-seo Reporter